All of the ladies (well, most of them) will be in Toronto

Tennis Canada announced today that 8 of the top 10 women on the WTA Tour are confirmed for the Toronto Rogers Cup event, which takes place the week after the Rogers Cup men’s event in Montreal.

The press release isn’t specific. It says No. 1 Justine Henin, and last year’s winner in Montreal, Ana Ivanovic, are in. So is Venus Williams, who isn’t technically a top-10 player but should definitely be included.

We know Serena Wiliams is one of the “no”s. The other, it turns out, is Daniela Hantuchova (No. 10).

Here’s the top 20 from the official list found on the Tennis Canada web site; only 40 players in the draw are direct entries; the rest are qualifiers and wild cards. In parentheses are their current rankings.

Sania Mirza of India, who reached the final last week in Stanford, Ca (where she lost to Anna Chakvetadze), is the last one directly in – at this point.

1. Justine Henin (1)

2. Maria Sharapova (2)

3. Jelena Jankovic (3)

4. Amélie Mauresmo (7)

5. Svetlana Kuznetsova (4)

6. Ana Ivanovic (5)

7. Anna Chakvetadze (6)

8. Nadia Petrova (9)

9. Nicole Vaidisova (11)

10. Martina Hingis (13)

11. Elena Dementieva (15)

12. Dinara Safina (14)

13. Patty Schnyder (17)

14. Shahar Peer (18)

15. Tatiana Golovin (19)

16. Na Li (20)

17. Marion Bartoli (12)

18. Vera Zvonareva (26)

19. Sybille Bammer (21)

20. Katerina Srebotnik (23)

(28. Venus Williams (16) )

Rookie tournament director Karl Hale, a former Jamaican Davis Cup player who has been a head pro in the Toronto area for a long time (and who still competes at the top levels of his age-group division, the 40-and-overs), was giddy:

“I’m thrilled to have such an exceptional player field in Toronto for my first Rogers Cup. With hotels booked, hitting partners reserved and player services confirmed, I’m confident that the best in women’s tennis will converge on Rexall Centre for a truly memorable experience,” he said in the statement. “Along with senior staff members at Tennis Canada, I have spent much time since my trip to Wimbledon cultivating relationships with coaches, agents and players, including Venus who I spoke with recently to confirm her attendance.”

Ah, the sweet sounds of innocence.

If it all shakes out, it will be a far cry from a year ago at Uniprix Stadium:

1. Justine Henin (no-show)

2. Maria Sharapova (late scratch, after the draw was made)

3. Jelena Jankovic (was No. 28 at the time, gave up a walkover to Ivanovic)

4. Amélie Mauresmo (no show)

5. Svetlana Kuznetsova (showed; lost to Hingis)

6. Ana Ivanovic (was No. 19 at the time; won the whole thing)

7. Anna Chakvetadze (was No. 29 at the time; retired with a sore forearm during her match against Hingis)

8. Nadia Petrova (lost her first match, to Chakvetadze. but won the doubles with Martina Navratilova).

Oh year, and there was top seed Kim Clijsters, now retired, who retired against Stephanie Dubois after that nasty wrist sprain.

And there was Nicole Vaidisova, who gave it up to Francesca Schiavone in a walkover.

Ah, memories. Thank God the men tend to be more reliable. And good luck to Hale. What do you bet he won’t answer his cell in the next 10 days?

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